GCSE Psychology Edexcel

This subject is broken down into 86 topics in 11 modules:

  1. Topic 1: Development – How did you develop? 10 topics
  2. Topic 2: Memory – How does your memory work? 8 topics
  3. Topic 3: Psychological problems – How would psychological problems affect you? 11 topics
  4. Topic 4: The brain and neuropsychology – How does your brain affect you? 7 topics
  5. Topic 5: Social influence – How do others affect you? 9 topics
  6. Topic 6: Criminal psychology – Why do people become criminals? 8 topics
  7. Topic 7: The self – What makes you who you are? 10 topics
  8. Topic 8: Perception – How do you interpret the world around you? 6 topics
  9. Topic 9: Sleep and dreaming – Why do you need to sleep and dream? 7 topics
  10. Topic 10: Language, thought and communication – How do you communicate with others? 7 topics
  11. Topic 11: Research methods – How do you carry out psychological research? 3 topics
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  • 11
    modules
  • 86
    topics
  • 29,440
    words of revision content
  • 3+
    hours of audio lessons

This page was last modified on 28 September 2024.

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Psychology

Topic 1: Development – How did you develop?

Early Brain Development

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Early Brain Development

Early Brain Development

  • Neurons, the basic working units of the brain, communicate with each other to transmit information in the nervous system.

  • Initially, an infant's brain consists of around 100 billion neurons.

  • The development of the brain at the earliest stages involves the formation of synapses.

  • From birth to age three (a period of rapid cognitive growth), the number of synapses dramatically increases through a process known as synaptic pruning.

  • Experience-dependent growth holds that the formation of synapses and strengthening of neural pathways is influenced by individual experiences and environmental stimuli.

  • Right after birth, during sensitive periods, certain experiences will have a greater impact on the development of neural pathways and the brain’s basic functions.

  • The term plasticity refers to the brain's ability to change its physical structure and function based on input from the environment.

  • Gross motor skills (like crawling and running) and fine motor skills (like grasping objects) develop as different areas of the brain mature.

  • The frontal lobes, responsible for higher cognitive functions such as problem-solving and self-control, are one of the last areas to mature.

  • Bilingual children show increased grey matter in the areas of the brain associated with language, suggesting that early experiences (such as the acquisition of more than one language) can physically shape the brain.

Recap: Early brain development involves the formation and pruning of synapses, largely based on individual experiences and stimuli. Development during sensitive periods, particularly in infancy, can have a profound impact on an individual's abilities, influencing everything from motor skills to higher cognitive functions.

Course material for Psychology, module Topic 1: Development – How did you develop?, topic Early Brain Development

Psychology

Topic 5: Social influence – How do others affect you?

Haney, Banks, and Zimbardo (1973) A Study of Prisoners and Guards in a Simulated Prison

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Haney, Banks, and Zimbardo (1973) A Study of Prisoners and Guards in a Simulated Prison

Overview of the Stanford Prison Experiment

  • Haney, Banks, and Zimbardo (1973) conducted the now-infamous experiment known as the Stanford Prison Experiment.
  • The study was intended to investigate the psychological impacts of a simulated prison environment.
  • Participants were randomly assigned roles of either a prison guard or a prisoner.
  • Conditions rapidly deteriorated, and the experiment was called off after just six days instead of the planned two weeks.

Key Findings

  • The experiment revealed the dehumanising effects of the prison environment, with both guards and prisoners conforming to expected behaviours based on their roles.
  • Guards quickly adapted to their roles, enforcing rules strictly and even creating their own punishment methods.
  • Prisoners showed signs of extreme stress and depression. Some even had to be removed due to severe emotional disturbances.

Implications and Criticisms

  • The study made a significant contribution to understanding the impact of situational factors on human behaviour.
  • It suggested that certain contexts can foster aggressiveness and authoritarian behaviour, regardless of an individual's character traits.
  • The study has been criticised in both ethical and methodological terms. It raises questions about ethics in psychological research due to the psychological harm experienced by participants.
  • Some argue that it may not provide a completely accurate picture of prison conditions due to the artificial, controlled environment.

Integration with Social Influence Theory

  • The experiment demonstrates the impact of social roles on behaviour, adding to the existing body of work on conformity and obedience.
  • The study gives a clear example of how social dynamics and expectations can influence an individual to adopt behaviours they might not otherwise engage in - a central theme in social influence theory.
  • However, Zimbardo's findings call into question the assumption of dispositional explanations of behaviour and powerfully illustrate the influence of situational factors.

Course material for Psychology, module Topic 5: Social influence – How do others affect you?, topic Haney, Banks, and Zimbardo (1973) A Study of Prisoners and Guards in a Simulated Prison

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